Asia

2013-01-31

ASIA/TAIWAN - "A hot winter" Chinese New Year full of love also for the most vulnerable

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - On February 10, the Chinese New Year will be celebrated. Through the solidarity campaign "A Hot Winter", sponsored by the Foundation of Social Charitable Works of the Sisters of Our Lady of China, in collaboration with San Martino Hospital, in Chayi, the Catholic community in Taiwan has mobilized so that all the sick, the elderly and lonely, needy and disadvantaged families of the island can spend this holiday surrounded by love. As reported to Fides Agency by the Catholic Weekly of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, the Foundation was engaged in a fundraiser to provide 4,000 meals to this most vulnerable group of the population. From the morning of February 7, 43 social workers, 200 volunteers and more than 100 cars will move to bring the meals prepared by 5-star hotels chefs to offer also to the poor the opportunity to taste haute cuisine. The house of the Foundation, which hosts the elderly suffering from Alzheimer's, anticipated the New Year Gala Dinner on 19 January in order to allow family member guests to be together. Even the Catholic San Martino Hospital, which welcomes patients with mental disorders, has organized several initiatives for patients by involving them in the preparations. According to the head physician of the department of psychiatry, "for these patients, family and social support are essential. The feast will help them regain self esteem and confidence." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 31/01/2013)